CANADIAN MEN COME BACK AGAINST AUSTRALIA AT SUMMER UNIVERSIADE

The third game for the Development Men’s National Team (DMNT) at the 2013 FISU Summer Universiade resulted in a 92-83 win for Canada over Australia. The victory pushes Canada’s record to a perfect 3-0 at the 27th Universiade, also known as the World University Games.

Australia jumped ahead early with a 6-0 run to begin the game, but Toronto, Ont. native Daniel Mullings drew Canada even and then set-up a Melvin Ejim three-pointer to give the DMNT the lead in a wild first quarter. Team Canada held a 27-15 advantage after the opening ten minutes, but Australia roared back in the second. A 12-0 run brought the Australian side to within three at 33-30. At the half, the DMNT had fallen behind by a score of 46-41.

Team Australia extended its lead to eight – the team’s highest of the game – to begin the second half, but a resilient DMNT squad chipped away at the deficit throughout the third quarter. A late Dwight Powell basket knotted the match, but the Australians finished the quarter ahead 67-65. The final frame started with another push from Australia, but this time, they could not hold back the Red and White response. Mullings tied the game at 77 and Kevin Pangos went to work from there, recording seven points and three assists in the final five minutes of the match to lead Canada to the win.

Burlington, Ont. product Brady Heslip continued his fine play in the tournament and led Canada in scoring for the third time in three games. The sharpshooter finished with 18 points and now has 13 three-pointers in the competition. Mullings ended one rebound shy of a double-double to accompany his 15 points. Acadia Axemen forward Owen Klassen registered nine points and ten rebounds in the contest. The DMNT outrebounded Australia 53-37 and held a distinct 58-28 margin in points scored in the paint. Full statistics from the match can be viewed here.

Team Canada will face a 2-1 Czech Republic side on Thursday with tip-off slated for 12:30 p.m. (ET). The DMNT will finish its preliminary round schedule with a match-up against the United States on Friday at 5:00 a.m. (ET).